successive

adjective

suc·​ces·​sive sək-ˈse-siv 

1

: following in order : following each other without interruption

their fourth successive victory

2

: characterized by or produced in succession

successively adverb

successiveness noun

Synonyms

• back-to-back
• consecutive
• sequent
• sequential
• straight
• succeeding
• successional

Examples of successive in a Sentence

a trait found in successive generations

made the honor roll for three successive school terms

Recent Examples on the Web

For almost ten years, successive British governments have been trying to redress the inadequacy of the Hyde Park memorial with a new, showstopping monument next to the Houses of Parliament, in Westminster. —Sam Knight, The New Yorker, 2 Jan. 2025

That Arthur Burns, then William Miller, then Volcker were successive Fed chairs from 1977 on is to discuss epiphenomena. —Brian Domitrovic, Forbes, 31 Dec. 2024

The organization was meant to receive an additional $80 billion as part of the Inflation Reduction Act, but this has now been halved after successive acts of Congress. —Paul Du Quenoy, Newsweek, 31 Dec. 2024

The 2-0 defeat at Ipswich Town means Chelsea have lost successive games for the first time under Maresca. —Simon Johnson, The Athletic, 31 Dec. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

successive

adjective

suc·​ces·​sive sək-ˈses-iv 

: following in order : following each other without interruption

failed in three successive tries

successively adverb

successiveness noun

Legal Definition

successive

adjective

suc·​ces·​sive sək-ˈse-siv 

1

a

: of or relating to succession

successive rights

b

: created by succession

2

: following in order : following each other without interruption

successive bankruptcy filings

3

: of, relating to, or being a petition for habeas corpus that raises a claim already adjudicated

successively adverb

successiveness noun